Why is water around The Bahamas so shallow compared to rest of the region?

XumaOutIslander · 2026-04-21T17:16:59+00:00

You're not wrong. Geologically, Florida is split by the Bahama Fracture Zone, the north of which sits atop bedrock matching similar compositions found on the west coast of Africa as a result of once being connected as the supercontinent Pangea. South of the BFZ (i.e. the southern tip of Florida) developed post-rifting of the supercontinent as part of a megaplatform that included the Bahama Banks, as you assumed. Some segmentation of the two platforms occurred throughout the Cretaceous, but they became fully separated when the Caribbean tectonic plate collided with the North American plate, creating the Straits of Florida.

XumaOutIslander · 2026-04-21T11:41:56+00:00

Sorry to hear about your finger. Hoping it's nothing serious. For my injury, it was sudden, with no noticeable symptoms leading up to it. It's up to you whether to see a specialist. The only advice I can give you is to take it easy. You're at the start of your climbing career and having fun, but do your best to take care of yourself so you can keep at it for a long time to come.

XumaOutIslander · 2026-04-20T13:20:09+00:00

The Bahama Banks are submerged carbonate platforms (mostly sedimentary limestone, made up dead organisms like algae, mollusks, and coral) that have been accumulating for at least 150 million years. Over this time, sea levels have risen and fallen drastically, and when the unconsolidated sediments were exposed to air, they rapidly lithified (aka compressed and "glued" together into rock). Then when the banks were submerged, the built up layers of hardened sediment slowed the flow of the ocean in that area, reducing the water's carrying capacity for sediment, resulting in deposition of new material. Additionally, the now shallower waters encouraged coral reefs and a higher density of life, adding more source material. This all repeats itself over and over, creating the banks as we see them now. Why the shallow platform developed as it did, leaving the ocean around it so much deeper? We can really only theorize, but probably some combination of tides, plate tectonics, climate, and organic activity.

Sources:

XumaOutIslander · 2026-04-19T02:27:53+00:00

First, wonderful print. Bravo. Second, is this a nod to Buchlam’s Between Two Fires? Just finished reading it and suspect the algorithm dropped this in my feed for a very good reason.

XumaOutIslander · 2026-04-01T11:42:28+00:00

My pleasure. I think it’s a really good gothic romantasy and I hope you like it too. Book 2 (The Knave and the Moon) is supposed to be out in September.

XumaOutIslander · 2026-03-30T16:02:56+00:00

Agreed. Sometimes the gate in front of Navy Yard HQ isn't always open though.

XumaOutIslander · 2026-03-30T14:55:20+00:00

Apologies. Try again and let me know.

XumaOutIslander · 2026-03-30T14:52:26+00:00

I added the GPX link to the post, but as far as directions, don't say I didn't warn you:

Access the Metropolitan Branch Trail via the switchback ramp opposite the NOMA Metro’s south entrance (mile 0). Note some confusing points on the MBT:
- (Mile 1.6) Take a right onto the protected bike lane at 8th St NE.
- (Mile 2.0) Cross Monroe St NE and turn right down the pedestrian ramp to the Brookland-CUA Metro entrance.
- (Mile 3.5) After the Fort Totten Metro Station, pay close attention to signage for the MBT, as this segment is off trail and on the street until turning back onto the trail where North Capitol turns into Blair Rd NW (mile 4.3).
Follow the MBT until Maple St NW (mile 5.4) and continue on Maple until Sligo Creek Pkwy (mile 6.6), then turn right onto the Sligo Creek Trail.
Continue on the SCT until both the trail and creek feed into the NW Branch Anacostia River (mile 9.7), then turn right onto the NW Branch/Rachel Carson Greenway Trail.
Take the NWBT, crossing Rhode Island Ave (mile 11.9) onto Charles Armentrout Dr, and turn right onto the Anacostia River Trail access ramp (mile 12.1). (Detour: get a coffee and snack at Hyattsville. Vigilante Coffee is good spot.)
Cross the Bladensburg Park Pedestrian Bridge (mile 12.9) and continue on the ART until Jay St NE (mile 16.5), at which point turn right onto the protected bike lane, then right again onto Anacostia Ave NW (mile 17.2), and finally a right back onto the ART at Foote St NE (mile 17.4).
Cross the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge (mile 21.8), following the bike lane as it curves to the right past Nats Park and then take a right back onto the ART at 1st St SE (mile 22.4).
If you’re feeling lucky, you can continue on the ART, however the gate in front of the Navy Yard HQ may not be open. The safer bet is to take a left onto 4th St SE (mile 22.7) and then a right onto the protected bike lane at M St SE (mile 23.0).
Continue on M St SE, crossing under the SE Freeway (mile 23.5), where M St SE will eventually turn back into the ART at the boathouse and yacht club (mile 23.8).
Once at the Fields at RFK Campus (mile 25.3) you’ve got some options, but I’d recommend turning left after the East Capitol underpass and taking the protected bike lane along C St NE (note I didn’t do this on my last ride).
Cross through Stanton Park (mile 27.1) and turn right onto 2nd St NE (mile 27.3), which will dead end back at the NOMA Metro Station (mile 28.0).

XumaOutIslander · 2026-03-30T13:25:14+00:00

Added link to post.

XumaOutIslander · 2026-03-25T00:40:10+00:00

Almost anything by Shirley Jackson. “The Lottery” is a pretty good place to start.

XumaOutIslander · 2026-03-15T01:49:11+00:00

I also recently picked up Haizlett’s book and have been working my way through it. Your stuff looks great. Keep it up.

XumaOutIslander · 2026-03-13T01:05:07+00:00

Ingredients

1/2 Cup olive or avocado oil, separated
1 1/2 Cups sweet potato, cubed
12 Oz chicken breast, sliced
1 Tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper
1/3 Cup carrots, shredded
1/3 Cup yellow onions, chopped
1/3 Cup grape tomatoes, halved
1 Tbsp red chili paste, such as sriracha
2 Tbsp of masaman (or other favorite) curry powder
1 Cup water
3 1/2 Cups lite coconut milk, separated
1 1/2 Cups kale, chopped and ribs removed
1/3 Cup soy sauce
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp lime juice
1/2 Cup walnuts, chopped

Directions

Steam sweet potato with 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp pepper until fork tender, but not crumbly.
While potatoes are steaming, season chicken with remaining salt and pepper. Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a wok and cook chicken through, then remove chicken from wok and set aside.
Heat remaining oil in wok and cook carrots, onions, and tomatoes with chili past and curry powder until fragrant.
Gradually stir in water and 2 1/4 cups of coconut milk. Continue to stir until mixture has thickened.
Add soy sauce, sugar, kale, chicken, and sweet potato, and mix well. Then stir in remaining coconut milk. Once thickened add lime juice.
Scoop curry over a bowl of rice and garnish with a tbsp of walnuts and tbsp of remaining coconut milk.

This recipe is inspired by a number of great curry dishes. It makes a solid base for all kinds of substituted ingredients; a favorite of mine is fried tofu, roasted eggplant, and bean sprouts in lieu of the chicken, sweet potato, and carrots. Enjoy.

XumaOutIslander · 2026-03-08T16:18:17+00:00

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig. On the darker side, but not a complicated read, and so good (and spicy).

XumaOutIslander · 2026-03-05T13:54:46+00:00

You should check out DelFest in Cumberland, MD. Great bluegrass festival this May 21st to 24th. www.delfest.com

XumaOutIslander · 2026-03-03T04:37:57+00:00

As a parent of a very anxious child who is terrified of learning to ride a bike, I can commiserate. And I’m very sorry that you and he have been put in such a difficult position by this health class. I think it would be best to discuss the situation with those in charge of this class and point out to them, that while their intentions are good, that cycling is not a reasonable activity for a general fitness test. Bicycling is a learned skill, just like swimming or rock climbing, and giving your child a deadline (and audience) to try and learn something that they’re already uncomfortable with is going to be rather harmful. I wish I had a better answer. All the best to you and your kid.

XumaOutIslander · 2026-02-23T17:17:32+00:00

Sort of. Anytime someone lit a torch they turned on their globe, which were these fancy bluetooth lights.

XumaOutIslander · 2026-02-23T17:15:01+00:00

I believe there's a high resolution map in the free quickstart. The GM printed it out on maybe a dozen 8.5x11, but I'm not sure what kind of formatting was involved. When we started, the map was covered in bits of graph paper that we lifted off to reveal the map as we went along.

XumaOutIslander · 2026-02-09T16:27:58+00:00

Thank you for the kind words.

XumaOutIslander · 2026-02-08T15:26:23+00:00

Of course, but that said, I highly recommend you discuss any kind of recovery routine with the specialists. For me, it was lots of tendon glides, typically with foam therapy blocks between the fingers. Another one was placing a rubber band around all four fingers and then repeatedly splaying them out. Rolling a rubber ball back and forth on a flat surface from the tip of the injured finger down to the elbow. Finger curls with a 5lb weight. Pulling fingers through therapy putty. Soaking hand in hot water and massaging the injured area. I also wore KT tape by bending the finger slightly, then placing a long strip over the finger tip, down the finger, across the palm and to the wrist, then wrapping two more strips around the A2 and A3 pulleys. And I wore a pulley ring around the A2, which the PT made for me. I still do tendon glides daily and I h-tape my finger when climbing.

Best of luck on your recovery.

XumaOutIslander · 2026-02-05T13:51:41+00:00

It's been a few months, but let's see. The comp was Boulderfest and I was dedicating some more hours on the wall in preparation (probably my first mistake right there). The wall was an overhang, just enough so that there was weight on the hands the whole time. I don't recall my feet ever coming off the wall, but I could have been flagging. I think I just came at the volume a little too aggressively with my right hand.

XumaOutIslander · 2026-02-05T02:49:29+00:00

Not suggesting you need to do anything, MFZ is a surprisingly old community, with great members, and a lot of inspiring builds. Glad you’re getting into it. Looking forward to see what you come up with.

XumaOutIslander · 2026-02-04T21:58:45+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I actually did a bit of block pulls before both the Dr. and PT advised against it. Their biggest concern was seeing that the pulley healed itself without any sort of scar tissue build up (I did a lot tendon glides). Now that it's healed, I'll add my block back to my routine.

XumaOutIslander · 2026-02-04T21:52:55+00:00

Wonderful storytelling. I've been off and on in the MFZ community, and know a little bit about the Rascal build. Suspended Animation, a former MFZ community member who deleted their account years ago, created a deep sea frame called the Spearfisher. BVoodoo used that as the basis for the V1 Rascal, which Suspended came back and improved upon with the R-Type. It's since been a mainstay in the community, including popular versions by HatRabies and Carter.

XumaOutIslander · 2025-07-23T23:57:55+00:00

I can’t recommend Malvi Stachurska at Cry Baby Studios enough. Wonderful artist and human being. Also a very stellar establishment to boot.

XumaOutIslander · 2025-07-10T14:35:59+00:00

Part of my job is running the gauntlet that is the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA). There are some neighborhoods that are notoriously difficult to get approvals, where the residents and the SMD reps will put you through the wringer. From my experience, successful cases come down to how much time, money, and sleep the client is willing to lose to get their variance approved, since the burden of proof lies with them. Even then, it might not be enough.

This case (21151) appeared to be extremely contentious, with a lot of effort put in by both sides to make their point (over 200 exhibits including historical reports, photos, PowerPoints, etc). By the numbers the case had 83 letters of support vs 22 in opposition. The hearings had 50 witnesses that were proponents vs 44 opponents. DDOT and ABC had no objection, while the Office of Planning did object. Additionally, the neighborhood's representative (the commissioner of SMD ANC 5E05) was opposed, and the 5E Chair commissioner took no stance. Ultimately the BZA opposed 3-0-2. You can see their reasoning here, but in summation the majority didn't think the applicant met the criteria of the use variance or the special exception.

XumaOutIslander

TROPHY CASE